We are all creating a Living Heritage as we live our daily lives.

The East Budleigh Heritage Centre in Salem Chapel aims to seek out social and educational connections between the past and the present which we can enjoy by ourselves and with family and friends.

East Budleigh Heritage Centre Ltd is operating a community centre in Salem Chapel under license from the Historic Chapels Trust for six moths to end December 2023 and acts as the local key holder. The Historic Chapels Trust is obliged to find a new owner for Salem Chapel by March 2025 and is in the process of completing a detailed survey report for the sale prospectus. A number of potential new owners are being assessed and contacted ahead of the formal invitation in autumn 2023.

Following an approach from the East Budleigh History Society to enquire into the use of Salem Chapel in February, an excellent relationship with HCT has been established. On learning of the upcoming sale, the Society conducted a village survey in March resulting in 106 responses, via the East Budleigh Parish Magazine and via Survey Monkey online on the Village WhatsApp Groups (222 participants). The community meeting in April concluded that the village was keen to have use of Salem Chapel but did not have the funds to take ownership as a community asset. Both the Community Shop and the Sir Walter Raleigh pub are successful community-owned businesses.

Meanwhile with less that five-weeks’ notice, the East Budleigh Heritage Centre steering group was formed and four diverse exhibitions were offered, adding a new exhibition each weekend in August which were enjoyed by almost 400 visitors.